AACC Bands Swing Into Spring

It seems that whenever I drop by rehearsals at Pascal Center, I discover serious performers striving to improve on what is already quite impressive. 

Rehearsals are a fun way to learn what a group is striving to create for an upcoming performance. In this instance, I visited the AACC Jazz Ensemble who will present a “Swing into Spring” concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Pascal Center for Performing Arts on the Anne Arundel Community College Arnold campus.  

From what I heard during an hour of rehearsal, I’d expect the audience is in for a sizeable treat. The AACC Jazz Ensemble is new to me, which definitely heightens my fun. The excitement of discovering a talented new group was a bonus on Wednesday evening when Pascal Center was alive with the AACC Jazz Ensemble’s own mellow sounds.

The rehearsal was underway when we settled in mid-center of the theater to enjoy the sounds and experience the rapport between musicians and leader. 

Jazz artists have distinctive skills that must include certain flexibility about tempo and improvisation to create the essence of this practiced spontaneity called jazz.

It seemed that leader Marty Knepp knew precisely what he wanted, and perhaps was not easy to please. He was so clear in instructions and so totally pleasant that after only a few tries this congeniality helped everybody arrive at the same happy destination.

From familiar jazz standards to works less well-known, every piece had appeal for me. One less familiar and intriguing was “Beautiful Maria of My Soul” sung by Charlie Boyer. Set to a salsa beat, the tune and lyrics are haunting. This song was popularized by Los Lobos in a 1992 movie “The Mambo Kings” – as I learned later at a second hearing via YouTube.

We also heard favorite standards like “But Beautiful” and “Jersey Bounce” that provided plenty of bounce.

The timeless ballad “Cry Me a River” and the more up-tempo “Fever” initially popularized by Peggy Lee were given proper treatment by vocalist Alexandra Bibby who sang with feeling and verve, seeming to know exactly where to take each tune.

During a brief break, I had a chance to chat with Bibby who told me that she first started singing at age 11 in a choir and currently studies at AACC with soprano Joy Greene who encouraged her to try out for this concert. Surprisingly, this performance will mark her first, and it’s easy to predict a memorable debut event.

Anyone who enjoys mellow jazz performed stylishly should plan to attend the AACC Jazz Ensemble’s “Swing into Spring” concert at 8 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are $10 general admission and $7 for seniors, groups, and students.

Editor's Note:  The AACC Concert Band also has an upcoming performance, tonight at 8 p.m. in the Pascal Center. The concert's theme is "Maryland, My Maryland" with pieces either written by Maryland composers or that are about somewhere in the state. 

One of the composers featured is a member of the band, Randy Neilson.  Another is a member of the faculty of AACC, Greg Pascuzzi, who teaches composition and trumpet at AACC.

For information and tickets, call the AACC Pascal Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 410-777-2457 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday.